Forest of Whispers

Chapter 4

I am awoken abruptly from my deep restful slumber by two firm hands shaking my shoulders. A little bewildered and certainly not fully awake as I sit up sharply and gaze around my room before focusing on the offending person who has woken me. Through my sleepy gaze I make out only long tresses of blonde hair and a pair of delicately pointy ears. There is little doubt who the elf before me is and I groan audibly and fall back into my pillow closing my eyes determinedly as Glorfindel grunts his disapproval and climbs ungraciously across to me to continue to shake me.

“Estel, you must awaken. There is such a fuss in the house and your presence is needed immediately.” The elder tutor has long been the one responsible for awakening me from my slumber, even as a child he was always the first to interrupt my dreams in order to start with my lessons early. It seems even now in my long years that he has not changed his ways of waking me.

“Please Glorfindel I do not wish to awaken, let Elrond sort out the fuss in his own household for I have only just escaped from the fuss in my own palace.” I hear Glorfindel chuckle above me his rich voice something which I cannot ignore despite my attempts.

“I am serious Estel you must rise. Arionetta called for the Midwife last night and both she and Aratula along with the nurses have retired into the birthing chamber.” At the news I sit up startled from bed all but throwing Glorfindel off me as I stare at the elder elf in surprise. Glorfindel rolls his eyes at me contemptibly as he climbs off the bed and straightens his robes, content that he has gotten my attention and that I am not going to ignore him again in favour of sleep.

“This is unexpected, Eladdan had spoken to me of a few more weeks before the babe was due to be born?” Glorfindel nods vehemently as he holds out my robe so that I may step into privately from my bed.

“Yes it is true the babe was not expected until the third week of winter but it seems the last elvan child of Middle Earth will not wait.” I sigh heavily ane the the robe securely around me as Glorfindel fills the basin with water so that I may wash my face while he prepares some food upon the tray he has brought up.

“So what is the fuss you speak of? If it is merely the child’s birth then we should not be overly fussed. Many a woman has given birth in Rivendell it is a joyous occasion and certainly not uncommon.” After dipping my face into the lute warm water of the basin I pat my beard dry and move to sit down at the small table and chair near the fire at Glorfindel’s impatient urgings.

“Yes that is also true but the midwife has spoken to Elrond of complications in the birth, when she last left the chamber to collect healing supplies and fresh water. Arrionetta has been in the chamber for almost a full night and morning and looks to be in there for a lot longer.” I stop eating immediately and watch curiously as Glorfindel sighs and slumps down tiredly into the chair opposite me. He looks tired and no doubt has been up since last night organizing the house around the presuming crises. “Legolas is beside himself with worry for his daughter and will not stop pacing Elrond’s study, he has had no sleep and refuses to eat or drink. Haldir has tried to comfort him but with no success. Eladdan is being comforted by Elrohir and Breachtian in the gardens but he is in worse shape than Legolas. Kahual has ridden out into the forest with Filgree both of them refusing to stay in the house less they be cajoled into the madness. Elrond needs you to help calm Legolas so that he can enter into the chamber to help ease the birth in someway with his skills while I organize the lower house into order again after last nights interrupted chores.” I nod in understanding and smile sympathetically at the elder elf before me. Quickly I polish off the fruits and wine on the tray before standing from the table.

“I will take Legolas for a ride then, if he is so distressed about his daughter the trees will help him relax. We will take a picnic as we had planned last night at dinner. Haldir can stay here and aid you in the organization of the house and when you have news on the birth then you can send a messenger for us.” Glorfindel smiles warmly at me as I hastily inspect the contents of my wardrobe and choose some suitable leggings and tunic for riding.

“That indeed is a very good plan Estel. I will have Haldir send Legolas up to his room and you may aid him in dressing as I am sure in his state he will not possess the fortitude to choose something suitable himself.” In agreement I nod and watch as Glorfindel disappears from the room, leaving me to dress in silence. Quickly I dress myself in a dark pair of leggings and a light blue coloured tunic. I pull on my boots and take just a moment to run a comb through my hair in front of the mirror before heading out of my chambers and down the hall to Legolas’ chamber.

As I approach Legolas’ chamber I can hear inside as someone mutters in elvish to themselves causing me to smile curiously. Slowly as not to startle the occupant of the room I push aside the heavy tapestry and step inside. I sigh quietly as I watch Legolas’ figure searching through his roberobe. His bed is already covered with most of the contents of the wardrobe and yet still he searches in earnest for something. His long golden hair flows freely down his back still unclasped from his interrupted slumber last night. His sleeping robes fall haphazardly around his shoulders and flap almost erotically around his slender frame. While it is not an unfamiliar sight to see Legolas in his sleeping robes it is however quite confronting to see the usually calm and logical elf suddenly beside himself with worry and extremely flustered.

“Legolas?” Slowly I wander up to the wardrobe and while I am sure that Legolas has heard my approach he does not acknowledge me. Gently I place a hand over Legolas’ shoulder and draw his attention away from the wardrobe and direct it towards me. “Legolas, calm yourself. It will do no one any good for you to carry on like a maiden on her wedding day.” My voice is sterner than I wanted it to be but it seems to do the trick as Legolas snaps out of his distant meanderings and fully turns to focus on me and then on the mess he has made on his bed.

“Aragorn forgive me I was trying to find something to wear but have found nothing I want. I do not know what to do with myself.” Legolas lets out an exasperated sigh as I wrap my arms about his body and gently embrace the worried elf. We embrace in silence for a long few moments before I gently pull away and lead Legolas by the hand over to the small lounge over near the open window. Legolas’s room is airy and bright with the sunshine pouring in through the window. It is decorated in soft forest greens and silvery blues. Every detail of the room was designed with Legolas in mind and I find myself sighing internally having remembered the deep love that once blossomed between the Lord and Legolas.

“Yes I understand Legolas, I paced for a full night when Arwen first went into labour with Breachtian but I believe it gets easier with each child that is born. If you are this worked up about Arrionetta I cannot think what you would have been like when your own wife gave birth?” Gently I sit Legolas down on the couch and begin spreading the small pieces of wafer with the fruit paste from the breakfast tray Glorfindel has obviously had sent up. Obediently Legolas takes the wafer and takes a bite, before reluctantly swallowing it as he replies to me.

“I was not there for Arrionetta’s birth. We were on an expedition to cleanse Mirkwood of the men from Arnor who had set up camp within a few miles of the palace. They were too close and made hunting and gathering food difficult to do without risking capture.” I nod quietly as I hand Legolas another wafer and brush a stray strand of hair from his face and back behind his delicate ear. His skin is warm to the touch and I cannot help but inwardly sigh as my fingers gently brush his cheek. “By the time the messenger found us it was too late. Delphi had passed on her life to save our daughters. I do not want to loose Arrionetta in the same way, I could not bear it.” It is not the first time that Legolas has spoken to me of Delphi and considering my own situation I understand what he is feeling all to acutely. As I sit with my hand on his knee I feel his worry pass through our bond with clarity. With practised ease I open my mind to him and allow him to draw strength from my inner confidence that tells me all will be well. I feel him relax and watch as the tensio his his shoulders physically disappears.

“She will be well Legolas, we must let nature take its course.” In elvish I seek to affirm the comforting bond I am creating for us both and I watch as Legolas nods understandingly before he closes his eyes and rests his head against my shoulder. “Now that you are fed and watered let us find something for you to wear amongst the piles of clothes you have created.” I stand quietly from the sofa and move over to Legolas’ unmade bed to begin searching the piles of clothes for a simple tunic and leggings. Guiltily Legolas rises and moves to begin putting things back in the wardrobe but I stop him immediately with a gentle hand. “Glorfindel will send some of the stewards up to fix this when they make the bed. For now just dress yourself so that we can take a refreshing ride in the woods to calm both of our minds.” With my mind open to Legolas’ emotions I feel his fatigue acutely and it in turn makes me feel tired too but I am determined to go for a ride and get Legolas away from the house. Turning my back to Legolas I allow him some privacy to dress while I clear up some of the breakfast tray ready to be taken from the room by the stewards.

When Legolas is dressed I patiently sit him down again on the sofa and turn him so that I can begin brushing his long blonde hair. I have never been allowed to brush and braid Legolas hair, he has always insisted on doing it himself as it is far quicker with practised hands but today he has no objections. Gently I pull the delicate comb through Legolas silky hair, making sure to undo each tangle I come across with care as not to cause pain. It is a very intimate action I believe to sit and brush an elf’s hair and I find myself feeling special that Legolas is allowing me to do this. Once the tangles are clear I gently begin to braid four lengths of hair into the familiar warriors braids Legolas most commonly prefers. Although my fingers are not as nimble as those of an elf’s my attempt at the braids is quite pleasing and although not perfect will do for a ride in the forest. Legolas smiles with amusement as he inspects my work in the mirror before he turns back to me a curious smile upon his lips. Something sparkles in his deep blue eyes as I reach out and tuck a stray strand that I have missed in the braid back behind his ear but I cannot make out what it means.

“Thank-you Estel it looks rather good.” I know he is jesting with me but I merely nod in agreement happy to see him relaxing for the first time this morning. It seems that I have accomplished what Haldir, Glorfindel and Elrond could not.

“Well then lets head down to the kitchens and pick up our hamper for the day and then head out to the sables.” Legolas smiles and grabs his weaponry from their place above the fire surround before following me into the hallway. Downstairs I can still hear the commotions going on and I consciously take the less frequented servants staircase down to the kitchens as to avoid upsetting Legolas again.

Cooks and maids alike scrambled to and fro through the kitchens, and both Legolas and I are struck by the feverish activity of everyone. All those present in the room pause at our entrance however and bow respectfully towards us before returning to their tasks. The delicious smells of baked sweets and marinated meats waft from each of the five ovens positioned around the room. My stomach growls sympathetically and is responded to in kind by Legolas’s own stomach. The sounds from our stomachs make us giggle quietly as we search out the head cook amongst the many elves in the room. Glendowin has long been the head cook in Elrond’s household, she has been hear since Elrond’s first marriage. I spent many a day down here with her as a child learning humility after being caught in numerus naughty situations or acts by Glorfindel or Elrond.

“Ahh Estel, Legolas, Glorfindel spoke to me of your coming to the kitchens.” Moving over to one of the largest preparation tables in the middle of the kitchen Legolas and I smile lightly at the elder elf. Glendowin is older than most of the elves in Rivendel and has seen a great many things from the kitchens of a great many houses. While to me she looks as if she is not a day out of her majority in truth she has seen most of the first age as well as the second.

“Yes, a hamper was ordered last night and we have come to collect it.” I address Glendowin lightly and watch as she thinks for a moment before nodding as if remembering something.

”Ah yes Glorfindel took great delight in recalling the dinner conversation that brought about the decision for the hamper.” Glendowin turns from us and disappears into a pantry leaving me to blush in embarrassment. “And Legolas Greenleaf please remove your fingers from my pie mixture, it has already been tasted for sweetness.” Glendowin calls to us from inside the pantry and I turn sharply around to watch as Legolas guiltily removes two berry stained fingers from a large bowl of pie mixture on the table. Legolas at least has the humility to blush to the same colour as his fingers as he licks them clean of the mixture as Glendowin emerges out of the cupboard. “You forget master Greenleaf, that before you were King of Mirkwood you spent a great deal of time down here with me in your minority as did Aragorn, and I know all your sneaky tricks.” Legolas blushes again as he licks his lips and hangs his head in shame. I feel the need to giggle but refrain from doing so less Glendowin recalls some of my own childhood stories like she has done with Legolas. Glendowin easily hands us two forest coloured saddle bags each of them stuffed to the brim with food before she points at the back entrance to the kitchens, her face a wash of mock anger but still shining a wonderful warmth. “Now if you’ll excuse me my lords, there are things to do and pies to make and your presence is hindering my staff, so away with you!” With a scooting wave of her hand Legolas and I quickly move out of the kitchens and into the stable yards, our hampers clutched in our hands. Legolas laughs heartily as he stretches skyward towards the morning sun.

“I was lucky to get away with my fingers untouched.” Legolas laughs again and wiggles his purple fingers in front of him pleased somewhat with himself. “As an elfling she used to rap my fingers with that horrid wooden spoon if she caught me tasting anything.” I laugh too this time remembering my own childhood spent in the kitchens as we move slowly towards the stables. Two horses have been readied for our ride and both Legolas and I accept the leg up onto our horses from the stable hands who greet us. Once settled upon our horses and with our saddlebags firmly in place we take one lasting look at the homely house before spuring our horses on into the forest for a long day of enjoying the wilderness together.
TBC……………….